Monday, January 25, 2010

Next, I shall move on to how to do general evaluation at club meeting.

General Evaluator Checklist===========================The General Evalutor gives feedback to the meeting participants who have not already been evaluated. Here is the opportunity for the Toastmaster, Table Topics Master, Table Topics participants, and the Evaluators to receive feedback on how well they did and to hear suggestions on how to improve. The Timer, Ah Counter, and Grammarian are also there to help participants see how well they are doing in achieving their goals; call on them for their reports.

A. Presiding Officer - Did the meeting start on time? - Were the guests welcomed?

B. Toastmaster - Were the meeting roles explained? - Were guests given an opportunity to introduce themselves? - Did the introductions include: 1. a brief biographical sketch; 2. the objectives of the speech; the speech title - Were the transitions between speeches smooth? - Did the sequence between speeches show that the Toastmaster was listening? - Will the meeting end on time?

C. Table Topics Master - Were the topics appropriate? - Were the topics introduced in one minute or less? - Were any special techniques (e.g., props, gestures) employed? - Were members called on in the appropriate order (those with no role, then smaller roles, then larger roles)? - Were guests invited to participate?

D. Table Topics Participants - How has each speaker improved? - Were any special techniques (rephrase, artful dodge) used? - What, in terms of the mechanics of impromptu speaking, can be improved?

E. Evaluators - Was the book report summary avoided? - Was the "sandwich" technique employed: 1. Did it begin with a positive note; 2. Was at least one suggestion for improvement made. 3. Were more than three suggestions made; 4. Was encouragement added at the close.

Just like a speech evaluation, the general evaluation should neither be whitewash nor a scathing criticism, but should point out where the club could use some improvement and what we are doing well.=====================

Saturday, January 9, 2010

This is a very short post to share on the common words that most people are not aware that they are guilty of repeating.

Most oft-heard are sounds like "Er", "Ah". These are word fillers - i.e. they are there to fill in the pauses. It is okay to have pauses in speeches. Pauses are great for us to think of what to say, create suspense and simply for us to breath.

Unknown to the speakers, word fillers could such a distraction to the listeners.

Here are some of the common words for sharing. Take note of them and do strive to eliminate them from your speech.